French policeman charged over teen's tear gas injury

A French policeman was charged Tuesday with violence after firing a tear gas grenade at close range at a 14-year-old high school student during protests in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumone, northwest of Paris, a prosecutor said.

The teenager, named as Eden, lost several teeth and suffered a fractured jaw that required surgery, the prosecutor's office said. The officer was not remanded in custody but was placed under judicial control and banned from working until further notice.

Videos widely shared on social media show three helmeted police officers facing the student. One officer struck the teenager, who kicked him back, before the grenade round fired at his face knocked him to the ground.

The officer, detained for questioning on Monday, said he used the weapon in response to the student's "resistance", according to Pontoise prosecutor Guirec Le Bras. Le Bras said "the conditions for self-defence have not been met" because of "the lack of proportionality" in firing the grenade.

The prosecutor said the offence can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Eden's mother told media on Monday that his jaw was sealed shut, he could no longer speak and he was eating through a straw.

Police have used tear gas and other means during protests that authorities have described as "urban violence". Unions, rights groups and many children have accused police of using disproportionate force.